Sancerre blanc “Les Herses” AOC 2021

Wine description for Sancerre blanc “Les Herses” AOC 2021 by Matthias Planchon

Colour & Appearance

Pale white gold with silvery reflections – a classic appearance for Sauvignon Blanc from silex soils.

Nose

Matthias Planchon achieves a remarkable balance between elegance and expressiveness here. The nose combines fresh grapes, honeydew melon and citrus with floral notes of jasmine and elderflower. Subtle herbal hints of thyme and mint suggest the complexity, whilst the stony minerality increasingly shows presence with air contact – an indication of the terroir of the silex soils of Les Herses.

Palate

On the palate, a creamy, juicy texture unfolds, created by the 30 per cent maturation in 500-litre barrels, without overwhelming the fruit. The pale, subtly exotic fruit remains consistently elegant and restrained. The precise acidity provides structure, whilst the saline minerality makes the wine extraordinarily quaffable – typical of the finest Sancerre from silex terroirs.

Finish

The finish is elegant and sustained, with a fine mineral persistence that invites the next sip.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Les Herses in Ménétreol-sous-Sancerre comprises two hectares with clay and silex soils facing south-east. Planchon cultivates just under one hectare with 45-year-old Sauvignon Blanc vines, which deliver concentrated grapes at moderate yields of 50 hl/ha.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Sauvignon Blanc, hand-harvested and gentle pneumatic pressing. After 36 hours of pre-clarification, spontaneous fermentation takes place in 70% stainless steel tank and 30% in 500-litre barrels. Ten to twelve months of maturation on fine lees imparts texture and complexity to the wine. Bottled according to lunar cycles.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Goat’s cheese with elderflowers preserved in cider, brown crab tartare with caviar, lemon chicken stuffed with apricots and pine nuts, but also with scallops or asparagus with hollandaise sauce.

Special Features

A Sancerre that prioritises finesse over power and exemplarily interprets the mineral precision of the silex terroir. The combination of spontaneous fermentation and partial barrel maturation lends unusual depth whilst maintaining freshness.